Shire strengthens R&D team with former GSK and Abbott execs

Biopharma specialist Shire (LSE: SHP; Nasdaq: SHPGY) has appointed two senior R&D executives to its Specialty Pharmaceuticals business. Former GlaxoSmithKline executive Lawson Macartney has been named senior vice president of the Emerging Business Unit and Mario Saltarelli, (ex-Abbott Laboratories) becomes senior VP of clinical development and medical affairs.

"The experience and expertise that Drs Macartney and Saltarelli bring to the Shire team will help us advance our pipeline, more effectively manage the lifecycle of our medicines and provide growth opportunities - all in the spirit of helping patients with life-altering conditions to lead better lives," said Jeffrey Jonas, senior VP of R&D for Shire's Specialty Pharmaceuticals business and to whom Drs Macartney and Saltarelli will report.

Dr Macartney will initially be based in Shire's Wayne, Philadelphia, office and transitioning to Shire's Nyon, Switzerland office. He will direct the R&D evaluation of new product opportunities and explore new therapeutic areas for Shire's Specialty Pharmaceuticals business. Dr Macartney brings to Shire a wealth of global drug development and commercialization experience. He spent nearly 20 years working with GSK, where he most recently served as senior VP of global product strategy and project/portfolio management.